Devotions for improved connection to God

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Does God Care?

Psalm 68:5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.

After finally packing up the car yesterday and moving on from the scenic overlook of Psalm 68:3, I drove only a short way and had to pull over again. I was deeply moved by the view I saw at the end of verse 5 – God in his holy habitation.

One of the questions that is heard frequently in spiritual conversations with unsaved people is this – Where is God in all of this mess? It is also the reality that many saved people ask that same question.

Where is God when cancer strikes?

Where is God when people are killed either by accidents or acts of violence?

Where is God when natural disasters like storms, earthquakes, or famines strike?

Where is God when people are homeless and family-less?

I understand completely the perspective that produces such questions: we view life as an entitlement to self-satisfaction and security. I understand it because I have felt that way. It amazes me how quickly my focus can turn from trusting God’s unfailing love to trying to fix a problem because it is causing some pain and suffering. It further astounds me that the shift of perspective from God to self usually results in doubts about God’s ability and willingness to be involved.

I need to spend so much time in this scenic overlook that its truth becomes my default thought setting. I need to have the sight of this truth so emblazoned on my mind that no scene of tragedy, pain, or suffering can ever threaten to wipe it away. Here is the truth –

From His holy habitation, God is infinitely aware of every need, and intimately involved in meeting every need with eternal satisfaction.

God is the Father to the fatherless.

God is the protector of the widow.

God settles the orphan (solitary) in a home with a family.

God leads prisoners to a place of prosperity.

We need to be constantly aware of the truth that from His holy habitation, God is at work. God is not distant nor is He disconnected. Every need is known. Every person is loved and being drawn to His love through every lovingly designed event in their life – good or bad.

Those last three words are totally and uniquely the perspective of man, not God. There is no good or bad in the mind of God – only good. We add the bad, because we interpret it from our entitlement perspective. But God’s unfailing love never ceases. There is never even a split second when an event slips through that is not the expression of God’s eternal love. It may not look like love to us, unless we see it as God’s design to get people’s attention and draw them to His saving grace.

Later in this Psalm King David makes this statement – Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death. (Psalm 68:19-20)

Do you see it? God IS our salvation, for He IS a God OF salvation. His unfailing love culminates in ONE thing – deliverance from eternal death. Absolutely everything else is an expression of His love to draw men to that conclusion.

David knew that. I want to know it like he did, so I can in confidence declare with him this truth –

Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God! (verse 35).